07 January 2012

BOOK REVIEW: iPad at Work

iPad at Work is a revelation as well
as an incredibly useful tool. The author's writing style is so
instructive and engaging that I read the book in one sitting. I look
forward to returning to it time and again if and when I ever get up
and running with the iPad. You see, I don't even own an iPad yet and
I still enjoyed the book.

This book is a great place to look if
you are thinking about whether or not to purchase an iPad. If you are
like me, wondering whether to go with an Android based tablet or an
iPad, after reading this book, chances are you will decide to
purchase an iPad. This is especially true if you, like me, use a Mac
at home or work.

If you do already use a Mac, you should
also get this author's book, Mac at Work. That book is also
mesmerizing and extremely useful. It will change the way I use my Mac
for the better. As the author puts it, in regard to the way I've been
using my iMac, I've been driving a Ferrari in the parking lot. It's
time to take it out on the highway with some of the Omni software
programs he describes in Mac at Work.

Having read these books on the Kindle,
I recommend purchasing them from iTunes in the iBook format. They
will look better and the links to the Apple App Store will work
making for a seamless experience on your Mac or iPad. However, the
Kindle experience is just fine for getting your head around these
wonderful tomes.

If you have an iPad, you should read
this book. If you are considering buying an iPad, you should read
this book. Even if you don't have or want an iPad, this book is an
interesting read just to see where we are in 2012 in terms of
technological devices and productivity tools. The title of the book
promises the iPad is a business tool and by the end of the book you
will have no doubt that indeed it is that.

I like the way the author takes care of
newbies at the beginning of the book with basics and fundamentals
such as how to use gestures to work the iPad. I'm talking about
basics such as whether to get a black or white one. The author
prefers black because videos look better against a black outlined
screen. You'll also learn the difference between WiFi and 3G devices
so you can decide which suits you best. All the basics such as how to
cut, copy and paste on the iPad are covered. If these topics sound
elementary to you, hang on because you are just getting started.

The book then goes into a detailed but
not boring overview of all the different ways you may use an iPad for
business. This includes everything from printing from you iPad to
text messaging and video conferencing. You learn to how remotely
control your home and work computer from your iPad whether your
computers are Windows based PCs or Macs.

The book goes into great detail on
pertinent items without being tedious. For instance, here are a few
of my notes from different sections of the book:

How to sync photos from iPad to Mac &
iPhone ... Must have OS X Lion on Mac

Throughout the book, each topic covered
such as taking notes in meetings or managing contacts gives a nice
review of a few of the best apps available and each chapter ends with
the author giving a few paragraphs about his workflow stating how he
uses the apps he has reviewed in his own work as a trial attorney. I
also appreciated the author's dry wit which adds interestingness
without being sarcastic.